Page 11 Page 12 OpEd: Freshman Jeff Wall Friday Exhibit eat The road becomes less traveled CPS chaperone policy jeopardizes field trips by John Mussman student on the trip. “We’ve gone on Under the new requirements, Hopefully, Northside will still be B CPS has adopted several strict trips before, and they’ve turned out teachers have to start planning able to maintain its statewide and new rules governing their field trip fine. I don’t know why they put in further ahead for the additional bu- nationwide reputation for innova- chaperone policy this year; but it the new rules.” reaucratic processes, ensuring they tive excellence in the face of these may be that none will create more Students and teachers alike have enough qualified chaperones. new procedures. paperwork and hassle than the new express concern chaperone-to-student ratio. In the that the new rules past, one CPS-approved chaperone will curtail more was required for every ten students. adventurous pro- This July, the Board decided that posals for enrich- while this policy may stay in place ment. Mr. John for one-day field trips as well as Hahm, English for interscholastic trips, overnight The teacher, is plan- trips as well as overseas trips will ning a literary oof need one chaperone for every six tour of England students. in the spring. Adding further obstacles to “I am con- planning field trips, CPS also cerned about the Vol. 9 No. 2 Northside College Preparatory High School October 2007 Vol. requires each non-CPS chaperone impact it will to have a current - that is, within the have on my travel past five years - TB test on record as group, and I well as a criminal record back- am very mind- ground check. Still more restrictions ful of these new H now apply, such as a report to the requirements CPS Board on trip details is due at as I line up my least three weeks in advance. chaperones and The new rules took effect the my paperwork last week of July. At the time of the for this trip,” said CPS Board vote, Northside’s Latin Mr. Hahm. “As Club was en route to the annual with any new National Junior Classical League policy, this makes convention, forced to preemptively everyone a little comply with the proposed regula- anxious because tions. we have new The new chaperone policy could prevent Latin students from participating in “I think it’s kind of stupid hoops to jump activities like NJCL. that the CPS is being so control- through and more Photo Courtesy of Jane Bialek ling,” said Katy Ceisel, Adv. 909, a of them.” S.O.S.: Somebody HELP! Athletic Peer Mentoring kicks off its third year Contract by Subhan Ali intensive service to students,” the student should be a peer causes The Peer Mentoring Pro- Ms. Lekkas, the Peer Mentoring mentor. gram, comprised of 24 current Program sponsor, said. “We want students commit- juniors and seniors, is now en- It provides freshmen with ted to the program,” said Lek- controversy tering its third year. Its purpose the benefit of upperclassmen’s kas. “Many have other extracur- News pages 1-3 is to help the freshman class experiences and allows them ricular activities…but we want •New Teacher Contract to build on their forebears’ students that are committed to by Natalia Emanuel •The Pig in the Sidewalk the program as well as For nine years, Northside’s athletic pro- Cafe may reopen [to] the training.” gram has been functioning without a contract. Last week, Ms. Daisy Simbulan, Northside’s Features pages 4-5 Ms. Lekkas leads a three-day summer train- Athletic Director, in conjunction with Mr. •The new freshman class ing session, teaching the Carlos Ceja, an aquatics coach, drew up an adjusts to Northside official contract, at the request of Dr. James •CTA Cuts mentors listening and communication skills. Lalley, Northside’s former principal. The Diversions page 7 The peer mentors must contract states, among other things, that all • Around Town also visit their assigned drugs, whatsoever, are banned. All substances • What about us? freshman advisories that may be considered “look-alikes” are simi- Centerfold pages 8-9 every Tuesday and larly banned. The contract also specifies that Wednesday morning violations of school policies are prohibited • Meet the new faculty and along with “unsportsmanlike conduct,” and staff and check in with Ms. Lekkas every Thursday bullying or violence. These rules are effective Editorials page 10-11 morning. year-round. • The Uselessness of stuff “I really liked hav- “I do support signing contracts dur- • Driver’s Education at ing a peer mentor last ing individual sports seasons because as an Northside year,” Tyler Throop, athlete you have to be ready to play,” Maggie O’Connell, Adv. 807, said. “And during our Arts & Entertainment pages 12-14 Adv. 018, said. “I think next year when I’m a volleyball season, we sign a contract with •Get your kilt on similar rules – we even have a no swearing •The fool returns to his chair junior I might try and become a peer mentor. policy. And out of respect for each other Sports page 15-16 The part I liked the most and the team, we follow the rules. But this was Double-O-Day, and new contract just seems disrespectful to the • Women’s Tennis defeats I’m surprised not many students.” Taft Many students were confused about the • A bittersweet soccer win upperclassmen knew about it.” combination of vagueness and generality. This Luke Sobieraj, Adv 100, Peter Krypciuk, Adv.110, Chris Szmurlo, Adv. “Double-O-Day” was especially the case with the “look-alike” 108, Maggie Shachman, Adv. 101, and Maria Rodriguez, Adv. 103, was the theme of an af- clause. discuss the peer mentoring program. “I lift weights,” said Karl Nerger, Adv. Photo by Zainab Bilfaqi ternoon of activities for mentors and freshmen 806. “So I have protein powder and hand and smoothly transition into the knowledge. last October, referencing foot powder. And all three could look like rigors of a high school environ- “You get to help others who the freshman advisory digits of coke. Does that mean I can’t be in the Athletic ment. Peer mentors assist their were once in the same posi- last year. Every fall, a similar Program?” assigned freshmen with practi- tion as you,” Cheyi Vinluan, event takes place to continue Ms. Simbulan said that in understanding cally everything associated with Adv. 908, said. “To be honest, I the bonding experience begun these guidelines, students should go with their this transition, from interpreting haven’t made any bonds yet and at Snake Road and Orientation. gut. the block schedule and teacher my advisory is really quiet… But Other activities are planned “I think a contract should be explicit in policies to giving advice about it usually takes a while for them throughout the year to supple- all senses of that word.” Jennifer Friedmann, personal problems. The 24 to open up.” ment the transition experience. Adv. 904, a runner, responded. “If they are Northside upperclassmen have Traditionally, peer mentors Feedback for these activities going to force us to abide by their rules, their the opportunity to bond with one year nominate their succes- and the overall process has been rules need to be clear.” freshmen throughout the school sors. Students can also nominate positive from both sides, and Students’ frustration with the rules was year. themselves. After an interview both the upperclassmen and magnified by the fact that they are to be “The Peer Mentoring Pro- with the nominated candidates, freshmen look forward to the gram is a year-round, reward- Ms. Lekkas determines whether rest of their time together. Continued as “Athletic Contract” on page 3 Page 2 News The Hoof Beat Are we in the same colloquium? Northside College by Zlatana Alibegovic juniors and seniors who had not met the “I am taking the Micro class this Prep High School Amidst the hustle and bustle of the consumer education requirement were year, and they put me in consumer ed. new school year, the interrogations about placed into that colloquium for the first anyway,” Konow said. “By the time I got friends’ summers, and the questions semester, and the other half for the sec- that mess straightened out, it was too late about summer work, one question rang ond semester. The new policy incurred for me to pick the colloquium I wanted as out particularly often: “What colloquium some dissatisfaction from the student a first choice. It was so aggravating!” 5501 N. Kedzie are you taking this semester?” body. The administration chose to auto- Colloquium is the only class stu- “I don’t like that they’re forcing us matically place juniors into the collo- Chicago, IL 60625 dents program directly for themselves at to take consumer education when it’s quium to prepare them for graduation by Northside, and getting that Tel: (773) 534-3954 for most it’s the requirement only class they out of the way can have with early. Fax: (773) 534-3964 their best friend, boyfriend or “We’ve had girlfriend. It students wait Principal: Mr. Barry Rodgers comes as no until their last surprise, then, year to sign up Assistant Principal: that a majority for consumer Dr. Margaret Murphy of Northside’s education and students opt we can never Advisor: Mr. Chester Tylinski into colloquia be assured that that they don’t there will be care for in enough spaces Editors-In-Chief: Natalia exchange for the for everyone opportunity to or that they’ll Emanuel, Patricia Radkowski be around those have the closest to them.